Ronaldo won 3-2 and he’s off to the World Cup.
The World Cup play-off between Sweden and Portugal was naturally billed as a battle between Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
As two of the world’s best, and their team’s leading lights, it was an easy way to frame the game. But for once, that simplistic shaping pre-match actually came true.
After a Ronaldo goal in Lisbon sent Portugal to Sweden in the driving seat, both men did their best to settle this tie single handedly.
First Ronaldo scored what looked to be a killer goal to put his team 2-0 up, with an away goal, before two quick goals by Ibra put the game back in the proverbial melting pot.
Then, as if offended by the challenge of Ibra, Ronaldo went and scored two more, completing his hat-trick and sending his team to Brazil.
Sweden 2-3 Portugal (All Goals) 19.11 ourmatch.net by ourmatch
We particularly liked Ronnie’s ‘Yes, I am the man’ celebration after his second.
Considering he scored all four goals, virtually booking his side’s plane tickets to Brazil on his own, he’s completely allowed to do it too.
